The Ringling to Host Free Halloween Events

October 28, 2024 | Sarasota

With many neighborhoods and walk-ways still burdened with post-hurricane debris, The Ringling will host a free, safe and enjoyable family-friendly Halloween experience. On Thursday, October 31, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., families can enjoy trick-or-treating in costume throughout the Museum of Art’s Courtyard. Guides will offer tours throughout the Museum of Art’s galleries for a special spooky-themed “seek and find.” Art making opportunities will be offered and The Historic Asolo Theater will host vintage Halloween short films.   

“Neighborhoods have been greatly impacted and may not be safe or ready for trick or treating,” says Ames Morton-Winter, Family Programs Coordinator at The Ringling. “So, this is our effort to offer an alternative. So far, I’ve shared the idea for this event verbally with visitors. Families have been very excited.” 

This is one of several ways that the education team at The Ringling has been activated after Hurricane Milton. Last Saturday, The Ringling hosted a Free Family Fun Day where more than 75 participants joined in art-making activities where they turned debris from the hurricane into art works. “Most of them were families I’d never seen before, which is so exciting for us,” notes Morton-Winter.  

The education programming team also put together art kits to give away to families through local organizations, each of which found a way to distribute them to their community members. “We realized that although schools and learning centers reopened, many students still did not have power at home and could benefit from some free art materials to create a sense of normality during a time of adjusting,” says Giovana Pérez-Oliveras, the Arts and Health Program Coordinator at The Ringling. Those partner organizations include, Blue Butterfly, Forty Carrots, Soar in 4, ALSO Youth, Easterseals Academy, Easterseals Preschool, Fruitville Library, The Historic Leonard Reid House, Sarasota Housing Authority, Jacquelyn Paulk Campus Learning Center, Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library and Starlabs. “Then a few other organizations distributed them to their clients/patients,” Pérez-Oliveras notes, such as Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center and Senior Friendship Centers. 

After Hurricane Milton, The Ringling opened its doors again on Monday, October 14, and senior leadership quickly moved to offer free admission through Wednesday that first week back, to make the respite of art available and as accessible as possible after such a devastating month of storms. 

The Museum of Art, The Tibbals Learning Center (which houses the circus model), The Grillroom and The John M. McKay Visitor Center are open to the public daily. The Kotler-Coville Glass Pavilion is open to the public and is always free.  

Regularly scheduled family programming is always free including ROAR, a free storytime that connects art with early literacy; Family Art Making; Stroller Tours; Homeschool Third Thursdays; and Ringling Reflections, which are relaxed, conversation-based gallery tours in the Museum of Art followed by artmaking for people with memory loss and their care partners. 

“The Ringling is a central institution for our region,” says Katie Nickel, EdD, Head of Educational Programming. “Our capacity to respond and support families means our region is more resilient in the face of disasters and change. For families to be able to have a safe Halloween means that we have an opportunity to transform an experience of trauma into wonder and respite.” 

As with all of our local arts centers here in Sarasota, the best way to support is by visiting and enjoying all the arts that Sarasota has to offer. 

For more information and to register to attend the free Halloween program, visit: https://www.ringling.org/event/halloween-at-the-ringling/ 

For Your Event Listing:  

Halloween Family Night at The Ringling  

4:30-7:30 p.m. (4:30-5:30 p.m. reserved for children under five) Thursday, Oct. 31; 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota 

Enjoy trick-or-treating in costume throughout the Museum of Art’s Courtyard. Tour the Museum of Art’s galleries for a special spooky-themed “seek and find.” Art making opportunities will be on offer and The Historic Asolo Theater will host vintage Halloween short films. Free with a reserved ticket.